HISTORY OF DRIVIN' THE DIXIE
The Village of Homewood Heritage Committee invited the towns along the Dixie Highway, from Blue Island to Momence, to work together to promote the history of the road known throughout the years as Hubbard's Trace, Vincennes Trail and Dixie Highway. The road has a rich history. The road tells the story of Illinois. (See What's So Historic About Dixie Highway?) We researched the Illinois State Historical Library, the Chicago Historical Society and local historical societies. We asked each town along the route to gather their own history, photographs and old maps. Each town was to list 10 of its most significant historic sites and current important things to visit such as a historical society museum or special annual events.
The group now consists of representatives of municipalities, historical societies, history organizations, chambers of commerce, business associations, park districts, an antique car club and other interested individuals. We refer to ourselves as the Dixie highway Communities.
To educate the public, we compiled the research into an overhead projector program and presented it 35 to 40 times to historical and civic groups.
Metal street signs were designed using the original design that was painted on telephone poles many years ago; DH on a red stripe between white stripes. Blue was added to make the red and white stand out and complement the American flag. The theme "Drivin' the Dixie from the Great Lakes to the Gulf" was adopted. Street pole banners were designed.
The metal signs and banners, funded by the individual towns, are now are posted in towns all along the Dixie Highway.
The Village of Homewood Heritage Committee applied for an Illinois State Historical Society marker for Dixie Highway. The dedication on June 1, 2003 was a proud day. (See Illinois State Historical Dixie Highway Marker Dedication.)
Seeking a way to promote the history of the area using the highway, a member of a car club proposed a road rally for antique cars. The A's R Us Model A Ford Car Club of America organized a road rally named the Dixie Dash in June of 2002. A rally is a timed competition following directions. The historical societies and communities organized events to draw not only participants but spectators along the route. The event drew media attention to the history of Hubbard's Trail and Dixie Highway. Approximately 40 vintage cars older than 1972 participated that first year! The rally was very successful.
Because of the popularity, many people wanted to participate who didn't own antique cars, so we proposed to redesign the event and open it up to all cars. Antique cars encouraged but not required. The event became Drivin' the Dixie in 2004, a moving car show and tour from Blue Island to Momence. A passport was created listing events in towns along the route. Participants have the passport stamped at specified historic sites or points of interest. Each town donates two more prizes. For each stamp on the passport participants received a free raffle ticket in Momence. Approximately 80 cars participated; almost all were vintage cars.
The event grew when we invited downstate towns from Danville to join us and drive north to meet us at the Island Park in Momence. Again because of the popularity, we requested the participants register to help us plan and began to charge a small fee.
Last year about 200 cars total participated with about 130 cars leaving Blue Island alone. With people attending events in various Dixie towns and watching the cars pass on Dixie thousands witnessed the tour and celebrations. Not all downstate cars drove the distance north but participated in events along the way. Rossville reported drawing visitors to their Dixie Days by the hundreds.
The efforts have resulted in a growing awareness of local and Illinois history. An Illinois State historical marker for Hubbard's Trail was restored and rededicated in Momence. New historical societies have started. An Illinois Main Street town was created in Momence and downtown Momence has been named a National Historic District. Visitors' bureaus have featured the drive extensively. Lt. Governor Pat Quinn kicked off the start. Several state legislators have participated. A's R Us Model A Ford Car Club vehicles have appeared in the "Road to Perdition" movie. The Dixie Highway was featured in WTTW Channel 11 documentary, "South of Chicago: Suburbs, Steel Mills, Shoreline" with Geoffrey Baer. An A's R Us car starred in the documentary and has provided a vintage car for each WTTW suburban documentary thereafter.
In 2004 the Drivin' the Dixie received a Superior Achievement Award from the Illinois State Historical Society in a state wide competition for its unique and successful efforts to promote Illinois history.
See you along the Dixie!
The Village of Homewood Heritage Committee invited the towns along the Dixie Highway, from Blue Island to Momence, to work together to promote the history of the road known throughout the years as Hubbard's Trace, Vincennes Trail and Dixie Highway. The road has a rich history. The road tells the story of Illinois. (See What's So Historic About Dixie Highway?) We researched the Illinois State Historical Library, the Chicago Historical Society and local historical societies. We asked each town along the route to gather their own history, photographs and old maps. Each town was to list 10 of its most significant historic sites and current important things to visit such as a historical society museum or special annual events.
The group now consists of representatives of municipalities, historical societies, history organizations, chambers of commerce, business associations, park districts, an antique car club and other interested individuals. We refer to ourselves as the Dixie highway Communities.
To educate the public, we compiled the research into an overhead projector program and presented it 35 to 40 times to historical and civic groups.
Metal street signs were designed using the original design that was painted on telephone poles many years ago; DH on a red stripe between white stripes. Blue was added to make the red and white stand out and complement the American flag. The theme "Drivin' the Dixie from the Great Lakes to the Gulf" was adopted. Street pole banners were designed.
The metal signs and banners, funded by the individual towns, are now are posted in towns all along the Dixie Highway.
The Village of Homewood Heritage Committee applied for an Illinois State Historical Society marker for Dixie Highway. The dedication on June 1, 2003 was a proud day. (See Illinois State Historical Dixie Highway Marker Dedication.)
Seeking a way to promote the history of the area using the highway, a member of a car club proposed a road rally for antique cars. The A's R Us Model A Ford Car Club of America organized a road rally named the Dixie Dash in June of 2002. A rally is a timed competition following directions. The historical societies and communities organized events to draw not only participants but spectators along the route. The event drew media attention to the history of Hubbard's Trail and Dixie Highway. Approximately 40 vintage cars older than 1972 participated that first year! The rally was very successful.
Because of the popularity, many people wanted to participate who didn't own antique cars, so we proposed to redesign the event and open it up to all cars. Antique cars encouraged but not required. The event became Drivin' the Dixie in 2004, a moving car show and tour from Blue Island to Momence. A passport was created listing events in towns along the route. Participants have the passport stamped at specified historic sites or points of interest. Each town donates two more prizes. For each stamp on the passport participants received a free raffle ticket in Momence. Approximately 80 cars participated; almost all were vintage cars.
The event grew when we invited downstate towns from Danville to join us and drive north to meet us at the Island Park in Momence. Again because of the popularity, we requested the participants register to help us plan and began to charge a small fee.
Last year about 200 cars total participated with about 130 cars leaving Blue Island alone. With people attending events in various Dixie towns and watching the cars pass on Dixie thousands witnessed the tour and celebrations. Not all downstate cars drove the distance north but participated in events along the way. Rossville reported drawing visitors to their Dixie Days by the hundreds.
The efforts have resulted in a growing awareness of local and Illinois history. An Illinois State historical marker for Hubbard's Trail was restored and rededicated in Momence. New historical societies have started. An Illinois Main Street town was created in Momence and downtown Momence has been named a National Historic District. Visitors' bureaus have featured the drive extensively. Lt. Governor Pat Quinn kicked off the start. Several state legislators have participated. A's R Us Model A Ford Car Club vehicles have appeared in the "Road to Perdition" movie. The Dixie Highway was featured in WTTW Channel 11 documentary, "South of Chicago: Suburbs, Steel Mills, Shoreline" with Geoffrey Baer. An A's R Us car starred in the documentary and has provided a vintage car for each WTTW suburban documentary thereafter.
In 2004 the Drivin' the Dixie received a Superior Achievement Award from the Illinois State Historical Society in a state wide competition for its unique and successful efforts to promote Illinois history.
See you along the Dixie!
The History of Drivin' the Dixie
Drivin'
The Dixie
